Loading and unloading apparatus for trucks



V. L. J. BOURGEOIS.

LOADING AND UNLADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

APPLICAHON FILED DEC. 4. 1920.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

v. L.: 1. puRGEols.

LOADIN'G AND*y UNLO'ADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. APPLICAHON FILED 0204.1920.

l ,427, 1 89) Patented Aug. 2.9, 192.2.

Y l2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,mw Y mm( umn 7 64 50 j far/@f i V. L. I. BOURGEOIS. LOADING AND uNLoAuING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

APPLICAIION FILED DEC. 4, 1920.

L42?, l 89., A Patented Aug. 29, 1922'.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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V. L. l. BOURGEOIS. LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. .l

APPLlC/HION FILED 050.4. i920. I

l Patented Aug. 29, 1922-.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

. www

V. L. J". BOURGEOIS.

LOADING AND UNLOADNG APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. ApPLlcMloN FILED nac. 4. 1920.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

v. L1. BOURGEOIS.

LOADING ANDUNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

APPLlCAHoN FILED DEC. 4. 1920.

5,427, l 589 Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

v. L.1.A BOURGEOIS. LOADING AND .UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

h APPLICMION FILED DEC. 4, 1920. I mgwg, l mme@ Aug. 29, w22.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

1&279189.

V. L. I. BOURGEOIS. LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

APPLICAIION FILED DEC. 4. i920.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

I2 SHEETS-SHEET 8- v. L. 1 BOURGEOIS. LOADINGvAND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. APPLlCAION FILED DEC. 4. 1920.

EAM/9182 ,Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 9. '92 6% -96 ,9 @2W j fm. KfZ/wwf? V. L. 1. BOURGEOIS.

LOADING AND U'NLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

APPLICAHON FILED DEC. 4. 1920.

1,42%189., patentedmg. 29, 1922.

IZ SHEETS-SHEET l0.

v'. L. 1. BOURGEOIS. LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. AFPLICAHON FILED DEC. 4. 1920.y

-m-szmag.

Patented Aug. 29, 192.2.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET ll.

V. L. J. BOURGEOIS.. LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS. APPLICAHON FILED DEc.4...192o.

1,427,189, PatentedAug. 29, w22.

I2 SHEKlS-SHEET l2.

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VICTOB. L. BGURGEOIS, OF MONTRE-AL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 NAZAREDUBOS, Oil MONTREl-LL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

LOADING- AND NLOADENG APPARATUS FOR TRUCKS.

naarden.

To all ywhom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, VICTOR L. J. BOURGEOIS, a subject of the King` or Belgium7 residing,l at lillontreal, Province ot Quebec, Canada7 have invented certain new and useful lmprOvements in Loading and Unloadingv Apparatus for Trucks; and l de hereby declare that the following,` is a full, clear, and enact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to .which it appertains to make and use the same.

rlhe present invention relates to new and useful improvements in loading and unloading` apparatus for trucks or other like Vehicles.

rihe primary object of the invention is 'the provision of a loading` and unloading, apparatus for trucks and the like by means of which the contents thereof may be placed within the truck or removed therefrom with little or no exertion on the o-i the operator.

'mother Object of the invention is the provision of a loadingand unloading` ap aaratus for trucks and the like, which comprises a collapsible frame of parallelogramfform, includingg` trucks upon which a carrier may be moved upwardly into the body or the truck or downwardly therefrom to the ground or other place upon which the contents ot the truck are to be placed in their removal.

Still another object of the invention is the provision oli a loading and unloading` apparatus 'for trucks or other similar vehiclesv including a collapsible rame which when not in use may be 'lfolded against the end of the truck scri/ring' as an end `gate therefor.

Still another object of the invention is the provision oi a loading' and unloading apparatus :tor trucks or other similar vehiclesI in which provision is made for either manually or by power conveying a carrier from the ground into the body portion oiC the said truck after the said carrier has been loaded or removing' the carrier from the truck and lowering,` it upon its" trackeither in loaded or unloaded condition as desired.

A still further object of the invention is the provision ofmanual means 'for raising and lowering` the carrier to and 'from the ground with little or no exertion ou the part oi' the operator. l

Specification of Letters Eatent. Pgziggnggd rume 29, 191226 Application filed .December 4, 1920. Serial No. 428,352.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the track which is preferably composed of a frame of parallelogrammic formation and which is so collapsible and oldable that it can be moved when not in use to a yposition at the end of the truck or other vehicle to which the same is applied and not interfere with the usual manner of operating the said truck.

n further object of the invention is the provision of a loa-ding and unloading apparatus which will be partially automatically operable so that the same can be actuated by ak single person if desired.

A. still further object 01"' the invention is the provision of a loading and unloading apparatus for trucks or other similar vehicles, which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and eitiicient in use, and readily operated.

-With the above and other objects in View, the present invention resides in 'the novel features koiI construction, formations, combinations, and arrangements oi parts to be hereinafter more` fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyingdraw ings, forming a part of the present application, and in which ligure l is a perspective View oi a truck showing' the track section in folded position;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the same in its lowered or operative position g` lfigure is a side elevation of the rear portion of a truck showing the 'track members lowered in full lines and raised in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is an end view showingthe track section in folded position and serving' as an end gate :tor the truck;

Figure 5 is a detail. view partly in section showing the method of locking the collapsible trame in its folded position; y

`llinure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the traine in lowered position;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the same in its intermediate position partly folded;

`Figure. 8 is a similar view showing the same ioldedg' A Figure Qris a side view of a truck showing a modiiied form of the invention in which the track sections of the Yiframe are made collapsible and comprise hinged sections;

Figure 10 is an end view thereof; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the form shown in F iguref9 in its lowered position;

Figure 12 is a similar view showing the same partly lfolded;

Figure 13 is a similar view showing the same folded; A y y Figure 14 is a plan view of a body of the truck showing the invention in plan view; Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing in detail the method of removably y attaching one portion of a collapsible frame to the body of the truck;

Figure 16 is a modiiied form of the invention showing the frame in side elevation with three track sections `employed rather than two sections;

Figure 17 is a plan view of that por'- tion of the frame shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a detail side elevation with parts broken away, showing the brace for retaining the collapsible frame in extendedposition; y y

Figure 19 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 18; u

Figure 20 is a transverse sectional view takenon the line 20-20 of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is an enlarged detail view showing the manual kmeans for actuating the drum; y y

' Figure 22 is a plan view of that portion of the device shown in Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a detail view showing the end of the truck and the upper portions of the extended side members of the truck; also the track sections hinged thereto;

Figure 24 is a horizontal vsectional view showing the transmission mechanism 'for actuating the ydrum from the drive shaft;

i Figure 25 is a transverse sectional view taken through Jthe mechanism shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a detail sectional view illustrating one form of the track section;

Figure 27 is a transverse sectional view taken through the adjacent ends of the truck and the carrier, the latter' shown at the upper portion of the track;

Figure 28 is a plan view of a portion of the device shown in Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a similar view showing the means of connecting the cable to the carrier for lowering the latter;

Figure 30 is la transverse sectional view taken through a portion of the truck and carrier showing the means for attaching the operating cable to the latter; y

Figure 31 is a -plan view of the device .disclosed in Figure 30;

Figure 32 is a detail view showing the pulley in plan view over-which the operative cable for the carrier passes;

Figure 33. is a side view thereof;

Figure 34 is a detail perspective view showing the pivotal connection between the sections of the track;

Figure 35 iS a detail view of the clutch operating lever;

Figure 36 is a transverse sectional view through a portionv of the frame;

Figure 37 is a detail perspective view showing a portion of the truckwith the track attached thereto and the carrier mounted onthe tracks and partly in raised position;

Figure 38 is a detail perspective view showing one manner of removably connecting the collapsible frame to the 4rear of the truck; n

Figure 39 is a detail view showing the means for automatically operating the clutch lever; l

Figure, 40 is an enlarged sectional view` showingthemeans for driving the operating` cable; y j l Figure 41 is a detail perspective view showing the collapsible frame in lowered positionand secured to the truck; y

Figures 42 and 43 are detail views showing the sections of the frame in extended and folded positions respectively;

Figure 44' is a view showing portions ol the folding iframe in transverse section;

the rear portion ot.

Figure 45 is a detail side view of the drum and clutch;

Figure 46 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 47 is a detail sectional view taken through the clutch; and, y

Figure 48is a view in side elevation illustrating the automatictrip mechanism for operating the clutch. y

Referring now to the vaccompanying drawings by corresponding characters of reference throughout the'several views, the numeral 50 designates in general an automo; bile truck or other like vehicle which may be substituted therefor' and to which my improved loading and unload-ing apparatus may be applied. 1

Thus truck 50 comprises a body portion 51 including a bed 52 having opposite side members 53 attached thereto.

The truck, as shown in the drawings, is provided with the usual wheels 54 and may be driven and steered in any suitable manner.

My improved device comprises preferably a frame 55 which is of a parallelogram type, as clearly shown throughout the various figures of the drawings. f

clined track sections 56 which, as shown particularly in Figures 2, 37 4, 5; 6, 7 and 8, are two in number, while in Figures 16; 17 and the other corresponding views; the track sections are shown three in number, and a de- This frame 55 comprises a plurality of in-v tailed description thereof will be mentioned later. f

The track sections 56 have hinged to their lower ends 'as at 57 a frame 58 which com,n prises opposite side members 59 which are connected by the cross bars 60 and braces 61 which hold them in rigid parallel relation to each other.

.The cross bars 60 and adjacent portions of the end members 59 are connected by a suitable member 62 which is preferably in the form of a netting, and when the frame 55 is in the folded position shown in Figure 1, this member 62 forms a convenient end gate for the rear portion of the said truck or other vehicle to which it is applied.

The ends of the side members 53 of the truck have secured thereto channel strips 63 in which one of the members 56 is folded when the frame is in its folded-position and in which it is held by means of the spring latches 64.

rEhe manner of foldingthe device'is shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, which show the track sections 56 and frame 58 in diagrammatic form. s

1n Figure 6 the frame is shown in its lowered position, and when it is desired to fold the same from the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings to the posit-ion shown in Figure 1 thereof, the tracks 56 and the frame 56 are moved to the horizontal position shown in Figure 7 after which the frame 56 and the rear track 56 are raised to the vertical position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 and also in Figure 8, in which position they are held by the spring catches or latch members 64. l/Vhen in this position, as before mentioned, the member serves as an end closure for the truck, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

lllhe frame 55 may be attached to the truck in any preferred manner such as by the hinges shown at 65 particularly in Figure 16, and when in extended position the parallelogrammic frame 55 may beif desired held against collapsing by a pivoted bar 66 which is hingedly connected at its upper end as at 67 to any convenient point desired. The lower ond of this bar 66 is beveled as at 68 for engagement with the teeth of a lug 69 which is secured to the inner side of one of the track sections 56.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, one brace 66 may be employed at one side of the frame, or a pair of braces maybe employed, one of which is secured to each side of the frame.

is shown particularly in Figure 15 of the drawings, the hinged lmember 70 is formed detachable, and comprises a pin 71 which flattened side adapted to pass through the slot 72 formed in the bracket member73- lllhen it is desired to disconnect the track section 56 from the truck 50,. the track sec-v tion 56 is raised until the pin 71 slides out through the'slot 72. f

r When inattached position, s shown in Figure 15, the fiance 741- braces the track 56 and prevents any undesired collapsing of the frame 55, thus eliminating the use or the brace bar 66 previously vreferred to.

`Ars shown particularly in figures from 9 to 13 inclusive, a modified form of the foldable parallelogrammic frame Vis'provided in which the 'tracks areindicated by the numerals 75 and 76 hingedly connected tov the upper frame 77 and lower frame 78.

r1`his form is used when the rear end of the base 52 terminates flush with the opposite side members of the truck to provide an extension which lthe frame 77 comprises when desired.

1n this form of frame, the track section 75 is hingedly connected intermediate its ends as at 7 9 and when it is desired to collapse the device, the same is moved from the position shown in Figure 11 to the posi tion shown in Figure 12, fter which it is again moved to the position shown in Figure 13. lin this form of the invention, a member 62 is att-'ached to the frame 77, and, when in the folded position, as shown in Figure 10, constitutes an end closure for the vehicle.

' The track members 56, 75 and 76 and the frame members 77 are all preferably constructed from channel members in which the wheels 81 of the carrier 82 are guided from the ground upward to the body of the truck which likewise has secured therein a suitable track shown at 63 which guides the carrier from vthe rearend of the track to the forward end thereof as desired.

rlhe carrierf82,y comprises preferably a rectangular frame 6e comprising opposite side and end members 65 and 86 which may be provided with a suitable platform 87 upon which the articles may be placed which are to be moved tov and from the body of the truck. v

T 1ansverse axles 86 are secured to the front and rear portions of the side members 65 of the truck, an( the wheels 61 `before mentioned are `iournaled upon the ends thereof exterior of the frame 843e.

Attachinfy clips 89 areisecured to the opposite sides ofthe frame 8d and are adjustably mounted thereon in the following manner.

Each of the clipsk is formed from strap material which comprises a body portion 9.0 having a suitable hook 91 formed at its outer end. From the body portieril one end of the material is bent upwardly over the edge of the frame 84,*as shown at 92, while the ppo site end of the material is bent hori/.ontallv under theframe as at 93, and has its hooked end 94 in engagement with a locking` lplate 95, which, by means of the bolt 96, isldrawn into engagement with the channel portion of the frame 84 securely locking the body portion 89 against any undesired relative movement with reference to the'frame. 1t is obvious, however., k'that upon loosening the' 'bolt 96, thehook 91.1naybe slid longitudinally of the carrier as desired.

The cables 97 which are secured to Athese hooks 91 extend to the forward endffof the truck and passi over pulleys 98 .mounted therein in suitable brackets 99. These cables then pass rearwardly along the -underside of the truck and 4pass over the drums 100 which are mounted fupon a transverse shaft 101 journaled innsui'table bearings 4102 secured to the .underside lof the truck.

It is preferred that .a pair of the pulleys 100 vare disposed upon opposite sides ofthe truck for engagement with the .opposite cables. 97 which pass therealong, ywhile in order to operate theshaft 101an'd thus rotate thedrums 100 `for the :purposes lof raising ythe carrier from the .lower rto theupper .portion of the truck and 4then along the yinterior `of the body ofthe ftruck, a worm wheel 103 -is keyed to a convenient portion :of the shaft 101 and meshes with a worm 104 -mounted on a ystub shaft 105 in .suitable bearings 106 which are likewise secured -to' the underside ofthe truck.

A beveled pinion 107 is securedito one end ofthe shaft yi105 yand meshes with afsimilar pinion 108 keyed to the end ofa drive shaft 109 which .may be operated by a lsuitable crank `110 mounted `at the side of the'truek. The above ldescribed means yillustrates the means `for manually' operating the'pulley or drum 100, and when it is desired to `operare the same by power, it fmay be driven from the usual drive shaft 111. 1n this instance a pair lof gears 112y and 113 are Vkeyed to the shaft 105, and are mounted within a suitable transmission casing 114. An :idler gear 115 meshes with the beforementioned gear 112.

Asleeve 116 is slidably mounted upon, for rotation with, the drive shaft 1311.and carries at its opposite ends integral gears 1517 and :118, the latter of which is adapted to mesh with the gear 115 which as above described meshes vwith the gear '112.

An operating lever 119 isoperatively connected with the sleeve 116 to slide the same longitudinally upon the shaft 111 :through the instrumentality ofthe Vrod 120 and yoke 121. Obviouslyupon the operation `of this lever 119 -in opposite directions, either the gear 117 *will be thrownvin mesh with the `gear 113 which drives the shaft 105 in one direction, or thegear 118 will be thrown in mesh with the gear 115 which drives the shaft 105 in the opposite direction. This obviously rotates l'the vdrum 100 in opposite directions for the purpose of moving'the carrier upwardly or downwardly-upon thetr'ack or forwardly Vand rearwardly within the truck.

In order to provide for the positive rearward movement of the carrier within `the truck, an additional cable 122 Ais provided which is wound upony a drum 123 which is secured to the shaft 101 intermediate the before described drums 100.

The end 'of this cable eXtendsto the rear of the truck intermediate the sides thereof and passes through' a' guide 124, so that the eye 125k at the end thereof will at all times be held inthe path ofthe hook 126, for la purpose-to be later explained. c l

Obviously, as the ltruck is pulled to the upper end of the track bythe cables 97 the hook 126 will engage the eye 125 of the cable 124 raising the latter. from :the full line po-v This bar -131 passes through suitable guides 133 and is provided with a stop 134 which is adapted to engage one of said guides for holding the clutch elements 127 in engagement,

Ar camzplug y135 is adapted to vengage the underside ofthe bar 131 and has attached to its forward end ya :cable 136 .whichis connected at its opposite endto a bell crank lever 137 pivoted to the lower ,side ofthe truck adjacent the 'lower end thereof.

This bell crank lever is connected to a bar 138 through a pin and slot mechanism 139 which is fpivoted toabracket 140 mounted at the rear of the truck.` f

The bar 138 isV provided with a lateral eX- tension 141, while pivotally mounted to the bar 138k is a trip member 142, clearly shown in Figure 48.

This ltrip member is so arranged that when the carrier proceeds upwardly von the track, the stop member 143 will ride over the trip .member 142` without affecting ther the drum 123 causing the upward movement of the carrier from the full to the dotted line position shown in Figure 27, and to the forward end of the truck within which the carrier passes.

When in this position, it is simply necessary for the operator to again throw the clutch into engagement by means of the handle 132 of the lever 131, and the rotation of the shaft 101 either through the instrumentality of the crank 110 or the drive shaft 11]- moves the carrier from the front to the rear of the truck and to the full line position shown in Figure 27, after which position the said carrier may be lowered by gravity and the hook 126 will disengage itself from the eye 125 of the cable 122.

As clearly shown throughout the various figures of the drawings, the track sections, while they may be of any desired channel construction, are shown preferably of a Z- shaped type in order to give them strength and when in this position, suitable channel members 1119 may be riveted thereto as at 150, and suitable tracks 151 may be positioned within the channels 149.

This structure is shown clearly in Figure 26. y

As shown in Figures 16 and 17 where a plurality of Jtrack sections are employed, the rollers 81 of the truck are spaced in such manner that they will at all times be positioned within the tracks in order to prevent displacement or binding of the carrier during its desired movement.

F rom the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that a loading and an unloading apparatus for trucks or other similar vehicles is provided, which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and ei'hcient in use, and readily operated. l

1t should be understood in this connection that various minorchanges in the specific details of construction can be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacriiicing any of the advantages of the invention.

lt should be further understood that the invention may be also used at any place desired to elevate a load from a lower to an upper plane, as from a cellar to the street, from the street to the first floor, or from the first to the second floor, or to any other elevation desired. i

lf desired, a carrier when in its raised position may form the rear portion of the bottom of the truck body and may be retained in this position if desired.

From the operation of this device, the carrier may be raised from its lowermost position to its position iiush with the bottom of the truck, and when in this position,

the contents thereof may be pushed forwardly from the carrier into the truck.

Wlhen such is the case, 4the clutch mechanism is not needed and may be dispensed with.

Having thus fully described the invention, what l claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a truck, including channeled members at the rear portion thereof, of a frame hinged to the rear of said truck, and foldable from operative to inoperative position within said Channeled members attached to the truck, latches for locking the frame within the said channeled members, and a strip attached to one of the foldable portions of the frame, forming an end gate for said truck.

2. The combination in an apparatus such as above described, with a truck of a frame attached thereto and including inclined tracks leading to the truck, guides mounted within the truck, a carrier mounted upon said guides for movement to the truck and within the truck. a cable detachablyvconnected with the carrier for moving the same to the guides and lowering the same upon the tracks, and cables attached to the truck for raising the carrier upon'the tracks and propelling the same within the truck.

3. rlhe combination in a machine of the character described with a truck, of inclined tracks leading to said truck, a carrier mounted thereon, means for raising the carrier upon the inclined tracks and propelling the carrier within the truck, means for lowering the carrier upon the tracks, said lastl mentioned means including a cable, an eye provided at one end of the cable,.a hook carried by the carrier for detachably engaging said eye, a drum upon which the cable is wound and by means of which the cable is actuated, and a clutch for said last mentioned drum. 4

4. The combination in a machine of the character described with a truck, of inclined tracks leading to said truck, a carrier mounted thereon, means for raising the carrier upon the inclined tracks and propelling the carrier within the truck, means for lowering the carrier upon the track, said last mentioned means including a cable, an eye provided at one end of the cable, a hook carried by the carrier for detachably engaging said eye, a drum upon which the cable is wound and by means of which the cable is actuated, a clutch for said last mentioned drum, and an automatic trip operated by the carrier for actuating the clutch.

5. The combination in a device lof the character described with a truck, inclined tracks leading thereto, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, a shaft,a pair of drums attached thereto, hoisting cables wound ioo upon said drums and attached to the carrier for receiving the latter upon the rotation of the shaft in one direction, a second drum attached to the shaft, a cable connected thereto, means for detachably connecting the last mentioned' cable to the carrier, and means for actuating the shaft.

6. The combination with a truck such as described, of inclined tracks attached there` to, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, a rotatable shaft, means for actuating said shaft, a pair of drums attached to the ends of the shaft, cables attached to the drums and to the opposite sides of the carrier for hoisting the latter upon the tracks, an additional drum secured .to the intermediate portion ofthe shaft, a cable wound thereon, an eye secured to the end of the cable, a hook secured to the carrier for detachably engaging said eye, and a clutch for the last mentioned drum, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination in a device of the character described with a truck, of av frame foldably attached thereto and including a plurality of tracks, av carrier mounted upon said tracks, a shaft journaled upon the lower side of the truck, tracks secured thereto, cables attached to the drums and to said carrier, a worm wheel mounted upon said shaft, a second shaft mounted 'upon the truck, a worm secured thereto and meshing with the worm wheel, and means for rotating the worm and raising andl lowering the carrier upon the tracks.

8. The combination in a machine of the character described, with a truck, a track attached thereto, a carrier mounted upon said track, a shaft mounted upon the truck and operatively connected to the carrier for actuating the latter, a second shaft for actuating the first mentioned shaft, gears keyed to the second shaft, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the drive shaft of the truck and rotatable therewith, and gears carried by the sleeve for alternately meshing with the first mentioned gears, as 'and for the .purposes set fort-h.

9. The combination with a truck of a track secured thereto, a carrier movably mounted upon said track, a shaft journaled upon said truck, an operative connection between the shaft and the carrier for actuating the latter upon the track, a second shaft mounted upon the truck, a worm drive be tween said first and second shafts, a pair of gears keyed to the second shaft, an idler gear meshing' with one ofthe gears keyed to the second shaft, a sleeve slid-able upon the drive shaft of the truck, gears carried byl the sleeve for meshing with one of the gears secured to the second mentioned shaft and the'idler gear,y and means for actuating thesleeve to throw the gears intoalternative engagement.

a lever l0. The combination with a vehicle body, of a track attached thereto, a carrier mounted upon said track, a shaft, means for rotating` the shaft, a drum mounted upon the shaft, a clutch for said drum, connected to one ofthe elements of the clutch, a spring engaging said lever, a bar for actuating the lever, a stop provided upon said bar for holding the clutch in onev position, a trip mechanism operatively connected to the bar for releasing the latter and actuating the clutch, and means carried by the carrier `for engaging the trip mechanism and actuating the same.

ll. The combination with a vehicle body, of track operatively connected thereto, a carriermovable upon said track, a trip' actuating means carried by the carrier, a rotatable shaft, a drum carried thereby, a clutch for said drum, a lever attached tothe clutch, a spring for retaining the clutch in inoperative position, a bar attached tothe lever, a stop mechanism carried bythe bar for retaining the clutchin operative position, a beveled block engaging said bar for releasing the bar and throwing the clutch into in operative position, and `a trip mechanism operativi-dy connected to the blockfor engagement with the trip actuating memberA Vmounted upon the carrier.

l2. The combination with a truck of an inclined track attached thereto, a carrier movable upon said track, means for raising the carrier upon the track, means for low ering the carrier upon the track, including said last named means, -a shaft, a drum mounted thereon, a cable attached to the drum and removably engaging the carrier, a clutch for said drum, a lever connected to the clutch, a spring attached to the lever forl Anormally forcing the clutch to inoperative position, a bar attached to the lever, a vehicle piece secured tothe bar formanually operating the latter and throwing the clutch into engagement` guides for said bar, a stop carried by the bar for engaging said guides and locking the clutch in operative position, a beveled block engaging the lever for releasingthe stop from the guide upon movement of the bar, a cable attached to said block, a trip mechanism attached to the cable, and a member carriedv by the carrier for engaging the trip mechanism and actuating the latter upon the downward movement of the carrier.

13. 'lhe combination with a vehicle body, of a folding frame, said frame comprising Zshaped side members, channel members secured thereto, tracks secured to said channel members, and a carrier mounted in said tracks.

14. The combination with a truck, of brackets secured thereto, a foldable frame, pins extending from said frame and having their sides flattened, said brackets having openings therein of a diameter equal to the diameter of the pins and receiving` said pins, slots leading from said openings equal to the diameter of the pins through their flattened portions for removably connecting the frame to the truck, and a carrier mounted upon said frameas'and for the purposes set forth.

15. rlhe combination with a truck, of a folding` frame removably connected to said truck and adapted to be folded downwardly in parallelogrammic form,y into operative position, a. hor'zontally disposed carrier mounted in said frame and opera-tive thereH in, said frame being foldable against the end of the truck and carrying an end closure for the truck.

The combination with a truck, of a foldable frame removably atdached thereto, said frame being foldable downwardly into a parallelograinmic form, said frame including spaced tracks, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, rollers carriedby the carrier for engaging said tracks, said carrier having attaching` hooks secured to the sides thereof, cables carried by the attaching hooks for locking the carrier upon said. tracks, an additional cable removably attached 'to the carrier for lowering the latter upon the tracks, said frame When not in use being` foldable against the rear of the truck, forming an endyclosure for the latter, and means for retaining the frame in its last mentioned folded position.

17. The combination VWith body, of a foldable frame of parallelogrammic formation, the upper side of Whichconsists of a portion of a vehicle body, and a door disposed in the lower portion of said foldable frame, as described and for the purposes set forth.

18. The combination with a truck, including` channeled members at the rear portion thereof, of a frame hinged to the rear of said truck, and foldable from operative to inoperative position Within said channeled members attached to the truck, a carrier mounted in said f nine, latches for locking the frame Within the said channeled members, and a strip attached to one of the foldable portions of the frame, forming an end gate for said truck.

19. vThe combination in an apparatus such as above described, with a truck, of a frame attached thereto and includinginclined tracks leading to the truck, guides mounted Within the truck, a carrier mounted upon said tracks for movement to the truck and upon the guides, and means for moving` the carrier along` the track and guides. f

20. The combination in av machine of the character described With a truck, of inclined tracksleading to said truck, a carrier mounted thereon, means for raising the carrier upon the inclined tracks and proa vehicle n said last mentioned means including a cable,

an eye provided at one end of the cable, a hook carried by the carrier for, detachably engaging` said eye, a drum upon which the cable is Wound and by means of Whichthe cable is actuated, and a. clutch for said last mentioned drum.

21. The combination in a machine of the character described With a truck, inclined tracks leading' to said truck, a carrier mounted thereon, means for raising,` the carrier upon the inclined tracks and propelling` the carrier Within the truck, means for lowering` the carrier upon the track, said last mentioned means including a cable, an eye provided at one end of the cable, -a hook carried by the carrier for detachably engaging said eye, a drum upon Which the cable is Wound and by means of which the cable is actuated, aclutch-for said last mentioned drum, and an automatic trip operated by the carrier for actuatingthe clutch.

` 22. The combination in a device of the character described with a truck, inclined tracks leading thereto, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, a shaft, a pair of ydrums attached thereto, hoisting' cables Wound upon said drums and attached'to the carrier for receiving the latter upon the rotation of theshaft in one direction, a second drum at tached to the shaft, a cable connected; thereto, means for detachably connecting the last mentioned cable to the carrier, and means for actuating the shaft. 23. The combination With a truck such as described, of inclined tracks attached thereto, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, a rotatable shaft, means for actuating said shaft, a pair of drums attached to the ends of the shaft, cables attached to the drums and to the opposite sides of the carrier for hoisting the latter upon the tracks, an additional drum secured to the intermediate portion of the shaft, a cable Wound thereon, an eye secured to the end of the cable, a hook secured to the carrier for detach ably engaging; said eye, and a clutch for the last mentioned drum, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l

24. The combination in a device of the character described With a truck, of a frame foldably attached thereto vand including a plurality of tracks, a carrier mounted upon said tracks, a shaft ournaled upon the lower side of the truck, tracks secured thereto, cables attached to the drums and to said carrier, a Worm Wheel mounted upon said shaft, a second shaft mounted upon the truck, a Worm secured thereto and meshing with the Worm Wheel, and means for rotatingthe Worm and raising and lowering the carrier upon the tracks,

r25.r The combination in a machine of the character described, with a truck, a track attached thereto, a carrier mounted upon .said track, a shaft mounted upon the truck and operatively connected to thev carrier for actuating the latter, a second shaft v`for actuatingthe rst mentioned shaft, gears mounted upon said track, a shaft journaled upon said truck, an operative connection between the shaftV and the carriervfor actuating the latter upon the track, a second shaft mounted upon the truck, aworm drive vbetween said first and second shafts, a pair of gearspkeyedto `the second shaft, an idler gear meshing with one of the gears keyed to the second shaft, asleeve slidable upon the drive shaft of the truck, gearsv carried bythe sleeve for meshing with one of the l gears secured tothe second mentioned shaft and the idler gear, and means for actuating the sleeve to throw the gears into alternative engagement. 27. rlhe combination with a vehicle body, of a track attached thereto, a carrier mounted upon said track, a shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a drum mounted upon the shaft, a clutchfor said drum, a lever connected to one of the elements yof the clutch, a spring engaging said lever, a bar for actuatin the lever, a stop provided upon said bar for' folding the clutch in 'one position, a trip mechanism operatively connected to the bar forv releasing the latter4 and actuating the clutch, and means. carried by the carrier for engaging the trip mechanism and actuating the same.

28. The combination with a vehicle body, of a track operatively connected thereto, a carrier movable upon said track, a trip actuating means caried bythe carrier, arotatable shaft, a. drum carried thereby, a clutch for said drum, a. lever attached to the clutch, a spring for retaining kthel clutch in inoperative position, a bar attached to t-he lever, a stop mechanism carried by the bar for retainingthe clutch in operative position, Va beveled block engaging said bar for releasing the bar and throwing the clutch into inoperative position, and a trip mechanism operatively connected to the block for engagement with the trip actuating. member mounted upon the carrier.

l'29. The combination with a truck of an inclined track mounted thereon, a carrier movable upon said track, means for raising the carrier upon the truck, means for lowering the carrier upon the track, including a shaft, a drum mounted thereon, a cable atconnected to the clutch, a spring attached to y the lever for normally forcing the clutch to inoperative positiom a bar attached tothe lever, a vehicle piece secured to the bar for manually operating the latter and throwing the clutch into engagement, guides lfor said bar, a stop carried by thebar for enga-ging said guides and locking the clutch in operative position, a beveled block engaging the lever for releasing the stop from the guide upon movement of the bar, a cable attached to said block, a trip mechanism attached to the cab-le, and a member carried by the carrier for engaging the trip mechanism and actuating the latter upon thel downward movement of the carrier.

S0. The. combination with a vehicle body, of a folding frame, said frame comprising `Z-shaped side members channel members secured thereto, tracks secured to said channel members, and a carrier mounted in said tracks. v

l; 31. lThe combination with a vehicle body, of brackets secured thereto, a foldable frame, pins extending from said frame and having their sides flattened, said brackets having openings therein of a diameter equal to the diameter of the pins, slots leading from said openings equal to the diameter of the pins;k through their flattened port-ions for removably connecting the frame to the truck, flanges engaging the frame for preventing its. collapsing when in operative position, and a carrier mounted upon said frame, as and for the purposes set forth.

32. The combination with a vehicle body, of a folding frame removably connected to said truck and adapted tof be folded downwardly in parallelogrammic form into operative position, a horizontally disposed carrier mounted in said frame, and operative therein when the frame is in its lowermost position, said frame being foldable against the end of the truck when in inoperative position and constituting an end closure for the truck.

The combination with a. vehicle body, of a foldable frame removably attached thereto, said frame being folded downwardly into operative position and when in such position assuming parallelogrammic form, said frame including spaced tracks, acarrier mounted upon said tracks and aty all times maintained in horizontal position, rollers carried by the carrier for engaging said tracks, said carrier having attaching hooks secured to the sides thereof, cables carried by the attaching hooks for locking the carrier upon said tracks, an additional cable removably attached to the carrier for lowering the latter upon the tracks, said frame when not in use being foldable against the 

